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The Upper Bucks 250 Heritage Day Celebration

Saturday May 16, 2026 in Tinicum Park

If today's news is tomorrow's history, than on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Upper Bucks community had an historic event which will be remembered in years to come.

The day started with a "Bang", literally with the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment's musket volley fire.

Then some new recruits to the Upper Bucks Militia were trained.

The men shared stories of the battles and skirmishes that the 1st Pennsylvania fought in

They shared aspects of what daily life was like for the soldiers, the food they ate, the ale they drank, and the toasts they made to the American Cause.

An Incredible Palisades Student Art Exhibit was on display in the lower level of the Stover barn

From the High School was a hand weaving exhibit

From the fourth grade a study of the Springfield Covered Bridge

with infinite artistic interpretations, each unique and distinctive.

An artistic depiction of fireworks

Portraits, painted with historic pigment, of our founding leaders from John Hancock to Joseph Brandt

Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and Founding Mothers as well like Abigail Adams were depicted

Each painting was accompanied by an historic description of that person and their role in the revolution

A true showcase of artistic talent and historic technique

The sixth grade offered a display of parts of a flag

The final gallery offered abstract geometric portrayals of the stars and stripes

Inside the Historic Erwin Stover House the Hunterdon County Rug Artisan Guild offered a display of 1776 themed hooked rugs.

And lessons for those bold enough to try their hand at the traditional craft of rug hooking

The Palisades Middle School Band offered a Patriotic Tribute to a resounding applause

All day kids had the opportunity to try their hands at crafts, and colonial games

The Tinicum Players presented first hand accounts of Upper Bucks residents and their experiences during the War for Independence

The spoke equally of patriots, pacifists and loyalists.

Throughout the day the Upper Bucks community was treated to a variety of musical performances

First up on stage was the New Jersey Early Music Ensemble

Followed by local band, The Burnt Mills Highballers, who had folks kicking up their feet and tapping their toes

The Millstone River Morris Dancers rang out the bells

The Boys of County Bucks accompanied the dancers with lively tunes

Na'bodach played traditional Celtic Tunes

A full scale replica of a Durham Boat was brought up by the Friends of Washington Crossing for folks to explore

And members of the Privateer Museum were on hand to talk about our sailing fleet during the War for Independence

The Mercer Museum with Curator and Doan Gang Reenactor, Clint Flack, had artifacts on display, accompanied by a County coordinated exhibit about our Upper Bucks Townships during the Revolution as well as an exhibit on Colonial Surveying developed by David Bretz.

Another exhibit on the role the Erwin Family played in the War for Independence was on display in the Erwin Stover House, with artifacts from the nearby ferry house in Upper Black Eddy.

The exhibit will be on display all season with the Tinicum Militia Muster Board Game for visitors to play

A half dozen lectures were shared with visitors showcasing everything from covered bridges to restoring the Bonnell Tavern in Clinton, New Jersey.

We celebrated our Founding Families, like the Erwin Family, with their descendants who attended the event.

We also celebrated traditional craftsmanship, with displays and demonstrations

Stone Carving

Embroidery

Foodways

Ironworking

Horn Making

Gunsmithing

Bullet making

Rifles Displays

Spinning

Pottery making

Timber Framing

At noon we held a ceremony which started with a reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by speeches honoring our founding families with speakers from the State, County and Townships.

A dozen local organizations, historical societies and businesses set up booths with a information about our Upper Bucks' continuing heritage.

Many provided activities for the community to engage in or displays of artifacts or documents

The Scouts had a color guard to lead our midday parade

And all were invited to join in the community Maypole Dance

The day was an opportunity to connect with our history

And to encourage the next generation to carry history's torch forward.

This Presentation was made by Amy Hollander, Historic Resources Manager, Bucks County Parks and Recreation Department with a selection of photos by Barry Waltersdorff, Amy Hollander, Noah Santosusso, Kate Flaherty and Susan Meacham

CREATED BY
Amy Hollander